1. the regular way in which something happens, develops, or is done: Weather patterns have changed in recent years.pattern of changing patterns of behaviour among students The child showed a normal pattern of development.pattern in They noticed patterns in the data. A general pattern began to emerge. Their descriptions seemed to follow a set pattern (=always develop in the same way). His behavior fits a pattern of violent acts.

2. a) a regularly repeated arrangement of shapes, colours, or lines on a surface, usually as decoration: a black and white striped patternpattern of a pattern of dotsb) a regularly repeated arrangement of sounds or words: A sonnet has a fixed rhyming pattern.

3. [usually singular] a thing, idea, or person that is an example to copy: The book set the pattern for over 40 similar historical romances.

4. a shape used as a guide for making something, especially a thin piece of paper used when cutting material to make clothes: a dress pattern

5. a small piece of cloth, paper etc that shows what a larger piece will look like Synonym : sample

pattern nounI. arrangement of lines, shapes, etc. ADJ. intricate | geometric | floral VERB + PATTERN have The jumper has a geometric pattern on it. design, make, print, produce, weave PREP. in a/the ~ He had arranged the glasses in a pattern on the table. ~ on the pattern on the carpet

pattern II. usual manner ADJ. basic, existing, familiar, normal, predictable, regular, set, traditional There is no set pattern for these meetings. changing, ever-changing | complex | main | overall The overall pattern of our life changes little. behaviour | employment | weather VERB + PATTERN establish, set | follow Their actions follow a very predictable pattern. fall into, fit into ideas that do not fit neatly into his patterns of thought show 67% of patients showed a similar pattern of improvement. PATTERN + VERB develop, emerge Similar patterns are emerging all over Eastern Europe. change PREP. ~ for the normal pattern for a boy/girl relationship ~ in the main patterns in English spelling ~ of patterns of behaviour

a pattern of behaviourIt's easy to get stuck in the same old pattern of behaviour.a pattern of developmentRegular checks help to ensure that the child is following the normal pattern of developmentthe same/a similar patternEach of the murders has followed a similar pattern.a different patternThere are different patterns of social life in urban areas.the basic patternThe basic pattern of her working day rarely changed.the general patternThe general pattern of change has been one of upward mobility.the normal/usual patternAs soon as she could, she resumed the normal pattern of her life.a set/fixed pattern (=one that does not change)These incidents followed a set pattern.a weather patternRising global temperatures are affecting weather patterns.a behaviour patternHe studied animal behaviour patterns.a sleep patternDisturbed sleep patterns may be a symptom of depression.a speech patternComputers are now able to produce acceptable speech patterns.a spending patternThe bank’s computer can detect unusual spending patterns.a pattern emerges (=can be seen when something is studied)Although the numbers are small, a pattern began to emerge.follow a patternHer headaches did not seem to follow any particular pattern.fit a pattern (also conform to a pattern formal) (=match a particular pattern)Last week’s bombing fits this pattern.establish a patternYou should try to establish a pattern of working that suits you.